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Dear friends and supporters,
This month brought significant progress in our mission to dismantle the criminal networks driving wildlife trafficking. From major convictions in Nigeria, to operational successes in India, to global action at CITES CoP20 and the United for Wildlife Global Summit, the momentum for stronger enforcement and international cooperation is growing—and the Wildlife Justice Commission is playing a central role in driving that change.
As we approach the end of the year, I want to thank you for your steadfast support.life a fighting chance.
Warm regards,
Olivia
Convictions for wildlife crime in Nigeria
The Federal High Court in Lagos convicted three wildlife traffickers this month, based on intelligence provided by Wildlife Justice. The convictions mark another major step in Nigeria’s efforts to disrupt organised wildlife trafficking networks.
The court convicted Steven Chinonso, a key Lagos-based supplier of pangolin scales, on three counts following joint Wildlife Justice–Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) operations in March 2025 that seized over 1,000 kg of pangolin scales. Chinoso was sentenced to one year in prison for each count.
In a separate ruling, the same court convicted Anthony Onyebuchi and Monday Nnamanni for conspiracy to supply and unlawful possession of 839.4 kg of pangolin scales and 145 kg of elephant ivory. Both received two-year prison sentences. The convictions stem from a February 2022 operation by NCS, acting on Wildlife Justice intelligence.
Together, these rulings show that wildlife crime now carries real consequences in Nigeria. Traffickers who once operated with impunity are facing prosecution and imprisonment, reflecting a broader shift in the country’s enforcement environment. This momentum will only grow with Nigeria’s newly passed Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which introduces penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, strengthening deterrence even further.
Impact of the WJC-NCS partnership
Our partnership with NCS is only three years old but has already produced:
- 18 major operations
- 42 arrests
- 25.347 tonnes of pangolin scales seized
- 1.065 tonnes of ivory seized
- 15 convictions, including that of a Vietnamese wildlife kingpin, his two key associates, and high-level shipping facilitators used by Lagos-based organised crime networks.
Read more here.
Wildlife trafficking bust in India
On 7 November, officers from the Special Task Force in Assam, India, supported by Wildlife Justice, seized one live Bengal slow loris, six live tokay geckos, and over 10 kg of pangolin scales. Two suspects were arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.
The wide range of species recovered, from primates to reptiles and pangolins, highlights the scale and diversity of wildlife targeted by traffickers. The area near the India–Myanmar border remains a significant hotspot for the illegal pet trade, making it a key focus for our investigations.
The Wildlife Justice Commission is in Samarkand for CITES CoP20!
From 24 November to 5 December 2025, governments from 184 countries are meeting in Uzbekistan to shape the future of international wildlife trade regulation—and Wildlife Justice is present on the ground.
Wildlife Justice is bringing its operational intelligence and enforcement experience directly to governments and decision-makers as we:
- Advocate for stronger protections for species most targeted by traffickers
- Push for tougher enforcement and implementation of CITES measures
- Promote a more holistic approach linking CITES with international crime and anti-corruption frameworks such as UNTOC and UNCAC
Wildlife Justice presenting at CoP20: “Enforcement in Action: Disrupting Wildlife Trafficking Networks”
Our event will highlight how strong partnerships, intelligence-led investigations, and coordinated enforcement are delivering real, measurable reductions in wildlife trafficking, using Nigeria as a case study.
We look forward to contributing to a CoP that strengthens global action, closes loopholes exploited by organised crime, and gives threatened wildlife a real chance to recover.
Landmark global declaration to combat environmental crime
Wildlife Justice regularly works with governments and NGOs to strengthen environmental protections. This month, that effort took a major step forward with the endorsement of the Rio Declaration at The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife Global Summit in Brazil.
The declaration calls for bold, coordinated action to address crimes that affect the environment — including wildlife trafficking—which threaten communities, undermine governance, fuel corruption, and accelerate climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Wildlife Justice is proud to join governments, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, and international partners in championing stronger cooperation, enforcement, and accountability to confront these transnational crimes.
Seizure premieres in December!
We are just days away from the YouTube première of Seizure—a powerful short documentary that offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the global fight against wildlife trafficking, one of the world’s most lucrative and destructive organised crimes.
On our new webpage, dedicated to the film, you can:
- Learn more about Seizure
- Meet the director
- Watch the official trailer
Explore now: https://wildlifejustice.org/seizure-film/
Seizure premieres on 9 December on YouTube.
Subscribe now and be the first to watch this award-winning film.
Thank you for standing with Wildlife Justice in disrupting criminal networks and saving species from extinction.
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